European deal ignites rally in global stocks, euro

(updated 5 a.m.) NEW YORK - A long-awaited plan to staunch the European debt crisis sparked euphoria across financial markets on Thursday, driving up the euro and the price of world stocks and commodities, while thrashing the dollar. Major US stock indices, which had been close to bear territory in the summer because of the debt crisis, climbed back into the black for 2011, with the benchmark S&P 500 on track to post its biggest monthly gain since 1974. Metal prices jumped 5 percent or more, US oil rose more than 4 percent and the euro gained more than 2 percent after European leaders agreed to a sweeping plan to resolve a crisis that has threatened to push the US and other economies back into recession. The dollar took its biggest beating against a broad range of currencies in 2-1/2 years and investors spurned safe-haven US government debt, pushing bond prices down and benchmark yields to their highest in 2-1/2 months. The deal reached in Brussels envisions a recapitalization of European banks, a far more powerful rescue fund for the euro zone and 50 percent losses for Greek debt holders. For the moment, investors shrugged off the fact that key aspects of the deal, including the mechanics of boosting the firepower of the European Financial Stability Facility and providing Greek debt relief, could take weeks to finalize. Three months ago, euro zone leaders unveiled another agreement that also was meant to resolve the festering crisis. "This is not a magic elixir. It's a very good start and certainly more than people had expected," Bill O'Neill, partner at commodity investment firm LOGIC Advisors, said of the deal. The euro surged past stop-loss points as investors reacted positively, gaining 2.2 percent to $1.4190. Investors were forced to unwind bets against the single currency as they awaited more details. World stocks extended gains to hit their highest level since early August, with the MSCI all-country equity index rising 4.3 percent. US stocks rallied more than 3 percent, and in a sign of investor relief, Wall Street's "fear gauge," the CBOE Volatility Index, fell 15 percent. The Dow Jones industrial average ended up 339.51 points, or 2.86 percent, at 12,208.55. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index rose 42.59 points, or 3.43 percent, to 1,284.59. The Nasdaq Composite Index gained 87.96 points, or 3.32 percent, to 2,738.63 Data showing the U.S. economy grew at its fastest pace in a year in the third quarter as consumers and businesses stepped up spending also helped spur risk appetite. US gross domestic product expanded at a 2.5 percent annual rate in the third quarter, the Commerce Department said. Emerging market shares, as measured by MSCI, surged 4.0 percent. European shares soared to their highest close in 12 weeks, with French banks, heavily exposed to euro zone peripheral debt, among the biggest gainers. Credit Agricole gained 22 percent and BNP Paribas shot up 17 percent. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares ended the session up 3.7 percent at 1,020.10, the highest close since Aug. 3. Crude oil jumped to $112 a barrel as the European debt deal and supportive U.S. data eased concerns that economic weakness could curb energy demand. ICE Brent December crude closed up $3.17 to settle at $112.08 a barrel, while U.S. light sweet crude oil rose $3.76 to settle at $93.96 a barrel. The dollar appeared the biggest loser from the deal, which could refocus attention on the weak US fiscal state. Government debt prices tumbled. The benchmark 10-year US Treasury note was down 47/32 in price to yield 2.38 percent. Spot gold prices rose $18.65 to $1,742.40 an ounce. US gold futures for December delivery settled up $24.20 at $1,747.70 an ounce. However, some strategists were leery of the outcome of the crisis in Europe. "Decisions have been made, whatever they are, and that's a good thing. I fear further down the road we'll find they're not as good as we thought," said Gavin Launder, fund manager at Legal & General, which has 356 billion pounds ($570 billion) under management. — Reuters